Town of Mantua Council Regular Meeting Minutes
For July 16th, 2026
Location: Town Hall, 409 North Main, Mantua, Utah
Council Members Present: Mayor Annette Ash, Mayor Pro Tempore Matt Jeppsen, Council Member Henry Dovey
Absent: Council Member Cheryl Burgan, Council Member Scott Ross
Recorder: Sherita Schaefer
Audience Present: Harper Johnson, Janis Johnson, Virgina Newman, Lee Larsen, Phil Millett
The meeting was opened by Mayor Ash. Invocation by Council Member Dovey.
Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Ash; all in attendance participated.
Approval Of Meeting Minutes
Approve minutes for the Public Hearing and consider Final Approval of the 2026-2027 Adopted Budget held on June 18, 2026.
Council Member Dovey motioned to approve the minutes for the Public Hearing and consider Final Approval of the 2026-2027 Adopted Budget held on June 18, 2026. Mayor Pro Tempore Jeppsen made the second.
Approve minutes for the Town Council Regular Meeting held on June 18, 2026.
Council Member Dovey motioned to approve the minutes for the Town Council Regular Meeting held on June 18, 2026. Mayor Pro Tempore Jeppsen made the second.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Matt Jeppsen, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan
MOTION PASSED
Consideration to Pay the Bills: Approve and Sign Bills
Mayor Pro Tempore Jeppsen motioned to approve the bills signed. Council Member Dovey made the second.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Matt Jeppsen, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan
MOTION PASSED
Public Comment (none)
Presentations & Informational Items
Water Infrastructure Cybersecurity
Phil Millett from the cybersecurity firm YISTA presented on water infrastructure cybersecurity. Working with the Utah Cyber Center, he assists rural water districts with cyber defense. Millett noted that state law requires water districts to secure SCADA controls and create a cyber-attack emergency response plan (ERP). State funding is available to help smaller communities comply. Mantua likely qualifies for a state grant to cover hardware, software, an operational technology (OT) cloaking device, a cyber-ERP, and a three-year service agreement. There is no direct cost to the town, and Millett is not requesting funds. Millett explained that the cloaking device separates office computers from the SCADA network to hide it from outside attackers. While Mantua's system primarily handles meter reading rather than chemical dosing, vulnerabilities still exist if left open to the internet. He requested council permission to begin a technical assessment and the grant application.
Action Items
Resolution No. 2026-07-16B - Establishing Revised Administrative Office Hours for the Mantua Town Hall
Mayor Ash presented Resolution No. 2026-07-16B to change Mantua Town Hall office hours starting August 2026. The new hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursdays, and 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on all other weekdays.
Council Member Dovey moved approved, Resolution No. 2026-07-16B, effective August 2026, revising Mantua Town Hall office hours to 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on Thursdays and 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on other weekdays, with staff rotating coverage for the extended hours. Mayor Pro Tempore Jeppsen made the second.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Matt Jeppsen, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan
MOTION PASSED
Geographic Information System for Mantua
Town Recorder Sherita Schaefer reported that the State Geoparsel Center and BRAG offered Mantua a free GIS mapping system. The program is funded through 2028 with no cost to the town, and there is no post-2028 pricing available yet. The system will digitize town maps for statewide integration. It can include custom data layers for town boundaries, land parcels, water districts, and local landmarks or parks. The State Geoparsel Center will help build these layers based on a wish list developed by the town.
Planning and Zoning will work with staff to create this wish list and present a recommendation before final approval.
Mayor Pro Tempore Jeppsen made a motion to table the Geographic Information System for Mantua agenda item. Council Member Dovey made the second.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Matt Jeppsen, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan
MOTION PASSED
Discussion Items
Irrigation and Drain lines
Lee Larsen reported that his pasture is flooded and mud is entering his basement due to a leaking 4-inch drain line and old clay irrigation lines. Public Works Director Marcus Abel noted the area has a naturally high-water table, willow roots clog the pipes, and the Town has already replaced and cleaned sections of the line. Abel stated that many of these issues involve groundwater and irrigation company property. Larsen maintained that the Town-related drain line across his pasture must be addressed by the Town. Larsen will coordinate with the irrigation company to schedule a site inspection with Abel to determine ownership and repair options.
Employee Handbook
Mayor Ash noted that the current handbook is from around 2008, was updated in 2018 without an adopting resolution, and is out of date. She suggested reviewing the handbook in small sections at each Town Council meeting. The relevant sections will be provided in advance so council members can review them and bring suggested changes to update the document over multiple meetings.
Indian Trail Road: Ownership and Jurisdiction Inquiry
Mayor Ash reported an email inquiry from the Jeppsen family regarding a roadway extending north from the Thurgood property. The resident asked if the road is public or private and which entity has jurisdiction over it. Mayor Ash stated that further review of historical records, plats, and easements is required to determine ownership and jurisdiction. She will investigate and report back to the council at a future meeting.
Proposed State Park: Determining Dates and Times for Public Town Meetings for August
Mayor Ash led a discussion on scheduling public meetings for resident input on a proposed state park. She proposed a listening session on Saturday, August 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., featuring four identical one-hour sessions. State parks department representatives will attend to present a tentative plan, answer questions, and receive feedback. The location will likely be the town park or Maple Springs Park. Mayor Ash agreed to request a copy of the tentative plan in advance from State Parks so residents can review it beforehand. Following the session, the town will conduct a two-week anonymous community survey for residents 18 and older. The survey will ask if residents support, oppose, or are undecided about the park. The responses will be compiled into a report for the Town Council and state parks representatives to determine if the project aligns with community preference. The state will not proceed if the town does not support the proposal.
Department Reports
Planning and Zoning: (none)
Public Works: Public Works Director Marcus Abel reported that brief water shutoffs will be necessary over the next one to two weeks to complete required repairs. The old well is currently down due to a fried pump circuit with a replacement part ordered, while the new well has been running continuously to maintain system levels. Town water usage is high and on pace to reach 140 million gallons this year compared to 125 million gallons last year. This demand is lowering water tank levels to as low as one foot overnight. Staff are managing the system by adjusting valves and moving water between the south and north tanks. Abel recommended implementing mandatory outdoor watering time restrictions, such as prohibiting outdoor watering during late morning and daytime hours, to allow wells and tanks to recover. Mayor Ash indicated she will communicate water conservation guidance to residents via the town newsletter, website, and text alerts. The council discussed applying these time-based restrictions for the next month to six weeks.
Follow-Up Items for August Meeting
- Historical Society Grant & Engineering Contract
Adjournment
Mayor Pro Tempore Jeppsen made a motion to adjourn the Town Council meeting, and Council Member Henry Dovey seconded.
Yes votes: Mayor Annette Ash, Matt Jeppsen, Henry Dovey
No votes: None
Abstained: None
Absent: Scott Ross, Cheryl Burgan
MOTION PASSED
Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing auxiliary communicative aids and services for this meeting should contact the Management Services Department at 629-8701 (TTY/TDD: 711 or 888-735-5906) or by emailing town recorder at sschaefer@mantuautah.gov at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation
Public meetings may be held electronically in accordance with Utah Code Annotated 52-4-207 to allow Council members to participate via teleconference. The anchor location for the meeting shall be held at the Mantua Town Hall 409 North Main St, Mantua Utah 84324
Other Information
Certificate of Posting
The foregoing agenda was (1) posted on the Utah Public Notice Website created under Utah Code Section 63F1-701. (2) Town of Mantua website, and (3) posted in Town of Mantua City Office on 8/21/2026 by Sherita Schaefer - Town Recorder